Policies

Alcohol Policy @SPH

The serving of alcoholic beverages on Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health premises is permitted only under the beer and wine license, which we apply each year through the City of Boston, held by Sebastian’s. Under this license, any event where alcohol is offered must be run by Sebastian’s, the exclusive provider of all alcoholic beverages for events taking place on our property. School policy states that all alcohol must be served by a Sebastian’s bartender (no self-service or cash bars allowed). It is also the policy of the school when offering alcoholic beverages that a non-alcoholic beverage is offered, as well as a food selection.

Any function where alcohol is being served, a Harvard police detail is required. All costs for police detail are the responsibility of the department hosting the event. Requests for police detail can be made at http://www.hupd.harvard.edu/

The liabilities associated with serving alcohol are very significant and dictate that we adhere to the established policy. We ask for your cooperation in your roles as department chairs and department/program administrators in both abiding by and ensuring compliance within your units to this policy.

We would be pleased to arrange a meeting within any of your units with our Sebastian’s managers to see what we can do to provide the services you would like a the lowest possible cost and convenience.

Catering and Alcohol Policy @SPH

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has a contractual agreement with Harvard Dining/Sebastian’s that designates them as the exclusive caterers for all in-house functions. Sebastian’s has the right of first refusal, and so must be contacted, for any event that is catered at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The serving of alcoholic beverages follows the same as above stated guideline. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health holds a beer and wine license, which we apply for each year through the City of Boston. For any event where beer and wine is offered, Sebastian’s catering must be engaged as they are the exclusive providers of all alcoholic beverages. School policy dictates that all alcohol must be served by a Sebastian’s bartender (no self-service or cash bars allowed). It is also the policy of the school when offering alcoholic beverages that a non-alcoholic beverage is offered, as well as a food selection.

Your cooperation in following the above policy is greatly appreciated.

SPH Inclement Weather Guidelines

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Inclement Weather Guidelines

As a research school, many support services at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (SPH) continue both during holiday periods and during periods of official closure. From time to time weather conditions are sufficiently extreme or hazardous such that normal administrative and/or academic operations are suspended, and only these essential support services are provided.

In the event of severely inclement weather, any decisions related to the suspension of normal operations – including delayed starts, early releases, office closings, and cancellation of classes – will be made by the Executive Dean for Administration and the HSPH Local Emergency Management team (LEMT).

DESIGNATED PERSONNEL

Throughout the year, each school unit (department/center, etc.) will ensure all staff understands their status for weather related events, as designated or non-designated, including whether they are expected to report to work if the school decides to alter working business hours or suspend normal operations for the day.

COMMUNICATION

Any changes to schedules will be communicated in the following ways. No messages will be sent if there is no change to regular working hours.

The School’s 24-hour news line, (617) 432-NEWS (617-432-6397), will be updated with any University response to severe weather. This line does confirm when the school is operating under normal conditions

School -wide email message from the Communications Office or Sr. Director of Operations will communicate any decisions related to the suspension of normal operations – including delayed starts, early releases, cancellation of classes or suspension of normal operations

MessageMe Alert

A MessageMe text message alert will be sent to all SPH employees when decisions have been made regarding delayed starts, early releases or the suspension of normal operations. Essential employees should always follow their specific department policies and the guidance provided by their local leadership. Please be sure to enroll in the MessageMe program (This requires an annual renewal): https://messageme.harvard.edu

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY

Absent a suspension of normal operations, all staff are expected to make every effort commensurate with their personal safety to be at work.

Non-Designated Staff(1) Non-designated staff who determines that their particular location or circumstances make it unsafe for them to travel may choose to stay home and will normally be expected to cover the absence with vacation or personal time.(2) If there is a suspension of normal operations, a resulting absence will be considered paid time off and will not be charged to a staff member’s vacation or personal time.(2.1) Non-exempt staff who were not otherwise scheduled to work that day should enter their time as if they worked their regular schedule by entering the REG pay code in PeopleSoft.(2.2) If a staff member had a planned vacation or was otherwise not scheduled to work, that time would not be adjusted

Designated StaffFor employees who have been designated as essential, the normal work expectations apply: every effort should be made to come to work, absent a previously approved absence or illness. In consideration of the safety of our employees, essential personnel, who find themselves in a specific circumstance that would make travel unsafe, must contact their supervisor as soon as possible for approval to be absent and to follow-up with the supervisor whenever a change in circumstances makes it safe to do so.Departments/Center, etc., should establish protocols to ensure that designated employees understand how to proceed if they are unable to come to work, especially in the case of the suspension of normal operations. Essential employees are to refer to their local department policies regarding emergency response.

CONTINGENT WORKERS and MEETINGSIf there is an official suspension of normal operations, local management should ensure any temporary or contract workers are notified. Additionally, appointments or interviews scheduled that day with non-employees will also need to be cancelled. It is expected that managers will bring the necessary information home with them prior to a severe storm in order to contact these non-employee constituents when there is an official weather-related suspension of normal operations.

STUDENT INFORMATIONStudents who are cross-registered at other schools should check with those schools regarding the status of operations and classes at those locations.

SPH News Hotline: 617-432-NEWS

The SPH News Hotline contains information about school cancellations; upcoming construction projects which might affect SPH labs, offices or classrooms; and all system shutdowns (steam, distilled water, water, and electricity)

Please call Operations at 617-432-1153 if you have questions about the HOTLINE or weather cancellations.

School closings and reopenings will also be displayed on the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health homepage at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/.